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SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, through a SPDG Grant, is now funding a Mentorship Program for novice school social workers. This free program will offer support, professional development, and various resources for school social workers in the State.

Benefits of Participating as Mentee in the Mentorship Program:

·       Membership in the Ohio School Social Work Association which provides resources to school social workers in state.

·       Free registration to the OSSWA Annual Conference (March 6, 2026) as well as travel expenses

·       Monthly mentorship meeting (virtual) with a seasoned school social worker assigned as the mentee’s mentor

·       Monthly one-hour virtual professional development focused on capacity building and https://osswa1.wildapricot.org/designed to evaluate the impact of the program as required by the grant

·       CEUs related to the practice of school social work in Ohio.

·       Trauma Informed Book and discussion of the book

Mentee Eligibility Requirement and Expectation

• Become an active member of Ohio School Social Work Association OSSWA (Membership fee paid through the Communities of Practice Grant
• Early-career professional, new to role, or transitioning into a new setting
• Complete pre-mentoring and post mentoring survey
• Engagement in at least monthly mentoring meetings as scheduled in conjunction with the mentor
• Seek opportunities to apply professional development aligned to the DEW Integrated MTSS Framework
• Attend annual CoP Convening (if possible) on May 15, 2026
• Attend OSSWA Annual Conference March 6, 2026 if possible (Expenses paid through the CoP Grant including travel, conference fee, hotel expenses)
• Complete goal sheet with mentor

Complete application at

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11rrvnkws5dqwcQ4bjbgWEM1heX9xsiUl9KqnMLcenog/edit

Know a School Social Worker or colleague who shows up for students and your team daily?

Please consider nominating them for our annual awards! Recipients will be recognized at our 2026 Annual Conference. 

Deadline to submit a nomination is January 10, 2026. Any questions, please email us at osswadrive@gmail.com. Please fill out the form to the best of your ability even if you do not know all information for the nominee. 

Click on the title of the award to cast your vote. 

2026 OSSWA Champion of Children 

The Champion of Children Award is designed to recognize a legislator, board member, or other administrator whose work as a policy maker reflects a priority for meeting the needs of and recognizes the rights of children and families in Ohio. They advocate for children, families, or the community to promote respect and dignity for all people. The individual generally is aware of and acknowledges the services of School Social Workers in helping to meet the needs of children and families in the state.

2026 OSSWA Friend of School Social Work 

The Friend of School Social Work Award is designed to recognize someone who is not currently practicing as a School Social Worker, but has impacted Ohio students and families in some capacity. They advocate for the field of School Social Work and support the work School Social Workers contribute to students, families, schools, and the community.

2026 School Social Worker of the Year

The School Social Worker of the Year Award is designed to recognize the hard work and dedication of a practicing School Social Worker in the state of Ohio.  This person exemplifies the role of school social worker as a link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.  

About this event

Join Central Ohio Rank and file Educators (CORE) to protest and picket at the Ohio Statehouse on May 1, from 4:30pm-7 as we fight for:

• Fair and Full-Funding of Ohio Schools
• Collective Bargaining Rights
• Protections for our students, families, and communities
• Academic Freedom and Voice

Attacks on public services are attacks on the people. We're calling for all educators, workers, students, families, and communities, to show our state and federal government our power in numbers and show we will do whatever it takes to win.

REGISTER HERE

Do you know or work with a wonderful school social worker or colleague who always supports school social work in the work they do?

Please consider nominating for our annual awards! Recipients will be recognized at our Annual Conference on February, 28th, 2025. Click each link below to nominate for our three different awards! If you have questions please email us at osswadrive@gmail.com. Please nominate by December 31st, 2024! 

Social Worker of the Year: https://forms.gle/xQH6tcD3EDopzYrf8

Friend of School Social Work: https://forms.gle/D4wEMhEiLEqKws1NA

Champion of Children: https://forms.gle/dSMtNK5xHJwsre4s7

Do you know or work with a wonderful school social worker or colleague who always supports school social work in the work they do? Please consider nominating for our annual awards! Click each link below to nominate for our three different awards! If you have questions please email us at osswadrive@gmail.com

Ohio School Social Worker of the Year

https://forms.gle/wBbT671gen6xrTxHA

Ohio Friend of Social Work

https://forms.gle/Cobw4mAPBXjpzJAa6

Ohio Champion of Children

https://forms.gle/feAqPh2CPnnrSLCu7

OSSWA has been busy this year! Check out our 2022 Annual Report! 

OSSWA Annual Report 2022.pdf

We have many AMAZING School Social Workers and Friends of School Social Work, in the State of Ohio, who work diligently in providing direct, as well as indirect, services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.  Please consider nominating someone you know for our 2023 AWARDS!

DEADLINE for the two awards below is extended to Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 by 5pm.

School Social Worker of the Year

Friend of School Social Work

The following information is taken from the NASW article linked below:

"An amendment to HB 509 has been proposed that would allow for people with degrees other than in social work to be licensed as an LSW. If the amendment is adopted and if the bill is passed by the Senate, title and practice protection for social workers in Ohio would end. The public could no longer trust that a “licensed social worker” is actually someone with a degree in social work, eroding our professional standing and reputation. Social work is a specific profession with regulated standards for education, field practicums, and licensure. A degree from a related field likely carries no requirements for an internship meaning that an LSW could have no practical experience before becoming licensed. Furthermore, it devalues and disincentives earning a social work degree as a baccalaureate program requires 400 hours of field education and a master program requires 900 hours."

To read more about this and to learn who to contact to advocate against this bill, check out NASW's article here: https://www.naswoh.org/news/624448/Critical-Advocacy-Alert-to-Protect-Social-Work-Practice.htm